CPR is a life-saving procedure in an emergency when a person's breathing or heartbeat stops, for example in cases of heart attack, near drowning and accidents.
CPR works to keep blood and oxygen flowing throughout the body when the heart and breathing suddenly stop. According to the American Heart Association, CPR can double or even triple a person's chances of survival after a heart attack. This is because active blood flow is maintained.
The most important CPR action is chest compression, which will maintain blood flow to vital organs until the heartbeat returns to normal. Chest compression itself is the act of applying regular pressure to the chest at the bottom at the mid-sternum.
Besides by hand, there is also a method of cardiac resuscitation using mouth-to-mouth breathing assistance or what is familiarly called artificial respiration. This method will provide the victim's body with more oxygen when his heartbeat and breathing stop suddenly.
Correct CPR procedure
CPR techniques can be learned by anyone but the way to perform CPR is not arbitrary or just pressing the chest and giving artificial breath. The wrong way risks causing rib fractures and injuring internal organs.
Here is the correct CPR procedure and steps:
1. Ensure the surrounding situation is away from danger.
The first thing to do before performing CPR is to make sure the patient and everyone in the surrounding area is safe. Do not endanger yourself or others.
While calling an ambulance, first lay the patient on a flat surface.
2. Checking consciousness (response)
Before CPR, check the patient's consciousness and response. Ask the patient in a loud voice while patting the shoulder area.
Also note whether the patient is still breathing or not. Also feel for a pulse. You can place your ear next to your mouth and listen for breathing for a maximum of 10 seconds.
When the pulse is not palpable and the breath is not heard, you can start performing CPR. But if they are still breathing even though they are unconscious, do not perform CPR, you should wait for the ambulance to arrive while continuing to monitor the patient's condition.
3. Chest compression
Chest compression aims to stimulate the heart by applying strong pressure to get the blood pumping again. Here are the steps:
- Lay the person supine on a flat, hard surface.
- You kneel next to the person's neck and shoulders.
- Place the palm of your lower hand in the center of the person's chest between the nipples.
- Place your other hand on top of the first hand. Keep your elbows straight and place your shoulders directly above your hands.
- Push straight down on the chest at least 5 cm but no more than 6 cm. Use your entire body weight, not just your arm, when performing the compression.
- Push hard at a rate of 100 to 120 compressions per minute.
- If you are not trained in CPR, continue chest compressions until there are signs of movement or until emergency medical personnel take over. If you are trained in CPR, proceed with opening the airway and or breathing.
4. Opening the airway
Opening the airway should be done if you have performed 30 chest compressions but there is no sign of normal breathing when listened to for 5 - 10 seconds. Airway is done by tilting the person's head back slightly and lifting their chin.
The method is to place the palm of the hand on the forehead and tilt the head, then use the other hand to gently lift the chin until the airway is open.
5. Artificial breath (breathing)
The last step in CPR that can be done is to give artificial breath. This can be done mouth-to-mouth or mouth-to-nose if the mouth is badly injured or cannot be opened.
Here's how to give artificial breath:
- Tilt the head back slightly and lift the chin.
- Pinch his nose, place your mouth completely over his nose, and blow to make his chest rise
- If his chest does not rise with the first assisted breath, tilt his head back again
- If his chest still does not rise with the second breath, the person may be choking.
Until medical assistance arrives, repeat chest compressions and artificial breaths. Only after a medical personnel's automated external defibrillator (AED) is available should you use it.
When can CPR be stopped?
CPR should be continued until the person fully recovers, and ideally should not be stopped. However, there are certain situations and conditions that allow CPR to be discontinued. What are they?
- Heart rate and breathing return
- The helper is exhausted
- Another CPR specialist takes over or moves on to other care.
- The helper's safety is at risk
- Patient with a terminal illness (cannot be treated accurately and may cause death) such as cancer
- There is a DNR (do not resuscitate) agreement in place.
Thank you for reading this article. Have a nice day.
